OXNARD, Calif. -- Coach Jason Garrett's motto for the Cowboys in 2018 is respect. Rookie receiver Michael Gallup has already earned his share in just a few months on the team.

The admiration has continued to build for Gallup as well after only a few training camp practices.

In a rare move for Garrett during his Cowboys' tenure, he started camp by giving the rookie some first-team snaps at receiver.

Gallup, the third-round pick out of Colorado State, responded right away Saturday by catching a few passes from Dak Prescott during the first padded practice of camp. He even beat cornerback Byron Jones on a nice inside cut in team drills.

But then came Sunday, and Gallup looked more like a rookie. He dropped passes in individual and team drills.

"I wouldn't say a bad day. It was a teaching day. It was a learning day," Gallup said late Sunday. "You have a couple of drops and you run a bad route, it's not what you wanted, you go to the next one. They are all learning days, but this one in particularly."

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Gallup said his biggest obstacle as a first-year player is to show coaches he can be consistent each practice.

Gallup joined veteran receivers Allen Hurns, Deonte Thompson and Lance Lenoir in Florida ahead of training camp to work with Prescott. The receivers caught passes from the quarterback each morning and also took time to build some chemistry off the field in the evenings.

One such adventure included deep sea fishing, a favorite hobby of Prescott's.

Gallup showed that he can catch more than footballs.

Deep sea fishing for the first time ever, Gallup was the only one of the five to catch a shark. He said he reeled in a 50-pounder.

A fish story?

"No, it's true," Hurns said. "Yeah, we've got video. I caught something, but not that big and no shark."

The Cowboys, however, are more concerned about Gallup's ability to haul in passes. He had a strong offseason and was off to a fast start before Sunday.

But the veterans are pulling for him, no doubt, considering their reaction to his drops Sunday.

Veteran receivers yelled at Gallup: "You've got to get that. That's your ball. You got to have it."

Prescott and backup quarterback Cooper Rush responded: "We put it out there for you, so you've got to go make plays."

In drills over the weekend, Gallup showed why the Cowboys pursued him. He's quick in and out of his routes and has the size and leaping ability to high-point the ball over a defender. He's 6-1 but with an eye-popping wingspan considering his fingertips hang down nearly to his knees.

Hurns, as close to a No. 1 receiver as the Cowboys have on the roster, said Gallup is already turning heads in California.

"I've been very impressed," Hurns said. "Since he's come in, he's been making plays non-stop. I know he's not like a 6-5 guy, but he plays like it. He's a guy who goes up and gets the ball. He plays aggressive. He's going to help this offense out a lot with his aggressive style."

Gallup said he was a bit nervous to join the veteran receivers and Prescott in Orlando during the offseason but called it a "good experience."

"To be able to get called down there to go with them that was a big step for me," Gallup said. "I felt, respect [was] given, and I have to go earn more respect now."